Members of the American Association for Employment in Education, a professional organization for college career-center directors and school district recruiters, provide career advice and discuss developments in the education job market. To ask for specific advice or suggest topics, write to [email protected].

By AAEE June 1, 2011 at 8:22 AM

The teacher job market for the 2011-12 academic year is the toughest one I have seen during my 32 years in education. Even schools that need teachers may not have the funds to hire them. I still have hope that state governments will eventually provide the funds for school districts to hire the teachers needed to educate students from grades K through 12. But that funding may not come this year or even next year. If your passion is to teach, keep this long-term goal in mind as you navigate a short-term job market with few opportunities for the coming ...

By AAEE May 26, 2011 at 12:39 PM

About this time every year, I start to see a few educators who are very worried about their employment prospects for the next academic year. Inevitably, the conversation includes a question about whether it is time to panic if one has not secured a position for the fall. The answer is "no." Most states are wrestling with budget problems. Public PK-12 education in my state (Kansas) has taken quite a hit in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with a sizable decrease in per-student state funding to districts. Things are going to be tough for a while, it appears, ...

By AAEE May 19, 2011 at 1:38 PM

How are you keeping up with what is going on in your job search - and in the world? Record-keeping in your job search is important, but it is also vital, in my opinion as an educator, to keep up with what's going on in education and in the world. This may seem an odd topic for an education job seeker blog, but I think it goes directly to a higher purpose and to your excellence as an educator. I work with college students every day, and it is a question I ask or want to ask on a regular ...

By AAEE May 12, 2011 at 4:07 PM

A reader recently submitted a question regarding re-entering the classroom after a stint as an administrator and asked for feedback on her résumé, as she was having limited success in being selected for interviews. Diana Sanchez wrote an entry for this blog in December called "The 'Over-Educated' Myth?" in which she addressed some of the questions surrounding advanced degrees for teachers. I'll give my thoughts as a career services professional on a re-entry résumé, but I would encourage school HR or hiring officials to provide their (more relevant) thoughts as well. First, begin your résumé with a summary of the ...

By AAEE May 4, 2011 at 4:53 PM

As I have worked with education job seekers over the years, I have often been asked by candidates why they are not getting interviews or offers. There are lots of reasons why one may not be generating interest, and you have read many good ideas on this blog for increasing your attractiveness to potential employers. Commonly, however, candidates eventually get around to this: Am I not getting interviews (or offers) because I am new and don't have much experience? Or: Am I not getting interviews because I have a lot of experience (and they will have to pay me too ...

By AAEE April 30, 2011 at 4:18 PM

Question from a reader: "What are the top K-12-related part-time, flexible-schedule, and work-from-home job opportunities teachers can explore to stay current in their careers while staying home with children?" The response to your question may be helpful to new teacher candidates trying to gain experience related to the K-12 realm, as well as experienced teachers seeking to stay current while staying home with children. Below is a list of potential options for K-12 related part-time, flexible schedule and work-from-home job opportunities, which was developed with input from members of the Illinois Association for Employment in Education (IAEE) and the American ...

By AAEE April 23, 2011 at 4:00 PM

Several teacher candidates have asked me, "How can I stand out from the hundreds of other candidates?" "Should I try brightly-colored resumé paper or different-colored clothing?" Of course, these ideas may make you stand out in the wrong way! To consider the factors that help you 'stand out' as a teacher candidate, keep in mind the missing letter E that has been passed over in the traditional A,B,C,D,F grading scale. You will stand out through your E's - Endorsements/Education, Experience, connection to Employers, Extended Effort, Expertise, and through your Evidence/Examples. Endorsements /additional Education - ...

By AAEE April 17, 2011 at 5:21 PM

Question from a reader: With school budgets tight across the country, what are specific things that recently laid-off teachers can do to better their chances of getting one of the few jobs available? Dear reader, Several school district human resources administrators who are affiliated with the American Association for Employment in Education (AAEE) have offered responses to your question. Here is a summary of their responses: A recently laid-off teacher would need to do many of the same job search tasks as a first-time job seeker. Do your homework - process matters Research the job openings, but as a part ...

By AAEE April 9, 2011 at 4:46 PM

Question from a reader: "Is an advanced degree (MA or PhD) a helpful asset or actually a disadvantage when it comes to keeping one's teaching job or getting hired in today's tough market (because administrators and districts have to pay those with advanced degrees more money)? In other words, is it worth the extra time, effort and money to get an advanced degree or will this only hurt teachers in the end?" Dear reader, You raise a good question! As you consider an advanced degree, please keep in mind the fact that schools and school districts can vary widely according ...

By AAEE March 30, 2011 at 12:49 PM

The education job market is becoming increasingly difficult in these tough economic times. So what can you, as a candidate, do to be remembered? My advice is to start by looking in the mirror and at the way you communicate. These are the first impressions that administrators, parents and students will get of you and how they will remember you. Actually, you started building your professional image as a student with your professors, academic advisors, and peers. If I were to ask your academic advisor or program coordinator to describe you, what would they say? How did you interact and ...